LONDON -- Imperial Tobacco Group PLC said it agreed to buy U.S. tobacco company Commonwealth Brands Inc. for $1.9 billion.

Imperial Tobacco, which makes Lambert & Butler and JPS cigarettes as well as Rizla rolling papers, said it is buying Kentucky-based CBHC Inc., parent of Commonwealth Brands, from Houchens Industries Inc.

Imperial described the deal as a low-risk entry into the U.S. market. Commonwealth Brands has 3.7% of the U.S. cigarette market through such brands as USA Gold and Sonoma. Imperial expects the deal to ...

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